Riviera Tote Crochet Pattern

In the spirit of this summer’s straw bag trend, here’s the Riviera Tote crochet pattern, a yarn-y last hurrah before we officially switch into fall. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take this bag into the cooler months as well. It’s size and shape makes it a great carry-all for a fall picnic, an extra jacket, or your newest crochet project!

This project is designed with support from and in collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn. Post may contain affiliate links. All photos and opinions are my own.

I’m a sucker for bags. Some people have a shoe addiction, but for me, it’s all about different sized, different shaped, different colored bags. I’m not sure why or how it’s taken so long for me to come to this realization, but it feels good to accept this little quirk about myself. My budget (and my schedule) prevents me from shopping for bags all the time, but I can make my own, and by doing so, make it exactly the way I like it.

MY LATEST VIDEOS

MY LATEST VIDEOS

I nicknamed this bag my sunshine bag, but you can (and should!) make this in any and all of the Lion Brand Rewind Yarn colors. This tote in Olive You would look amazing, don’t you think? The polished wooden handles elevates this project just that tad bit more, so you can surprise the passers-by who compliment you on the Riviera Tote that it’s indeed handmade and not purchased from a retail shop.

Construction Details

The stitches used in this tote are a bit unique. They are all still single crochet stitches, but instead of working into the 2 loops as you would normally do, these single crochet stitches are worked into the middle V part of the stitch below. Called the waistcoat stitch, or a knit-look crochet stitch, it’s something you see often in hats and other projects worked in the round to create a knit stockinette look. Things get a little trickier when you work this stitch flat, since the back of a single crochet doesn’t have the distinctive V you’re looking for. Instead, you’ll work into the upside-down V to create the same effect. Don’t worry, I’ve got lots of pictures below to help you along!

The beginning and end of each row uses a smaller crochet hook to build the stitches to create a tighter look. Just finish the indicated stitch, switch out the hook for larger or smaller one and then continue. It’s not overly visible in the finished tote, but all those rows do add up to create a tighter weave on the sides.

Remember to leave all stitches a little looser than normal so you can find the right place to insert the hook on your next row! You can always use a smaller hook to find and sort of “carve out” the hole you need in between the upside-down V to insert the larger hook, in case you find your stitches a bit tight. Or, turn your work around to find the upright V, insert your hook and see where it comes out on the working side. Then you can remove that hook and work into that hole properly.

Within a few rows, you’ll see the shape of the bag start to form. Once the bag gets large enough, you’ll add a row of slip stitches to create a distinct edge, and then work a few more rows to form the bottom of the bag.

The tote is made up of 2 identical pieces, both worked from the handle downwards. The two pieces are then seamed together, kinda like seaming a boat together down its length. This creates a rather large and flappy opening, so the last step is to pull the edges of the tote in with an extra seam to force that lemon-y shape.

The pattern is shared below, along with step by step instructions and photos on how to start, work the waistcoat stitch, create the slip stitch edge, and assemble the tote. If you would like a printable copy of the pattern, you can purchase an inexpensive PDF from my pattern shops. The PDF will include the full pattern and all the photos, but the photos are all at the end, so you can choose to just print the first few pages for the pattern text, or print it all for the photo tutorial.

More Bags for You

Since I’m on a bit of a bag kick, here’s 2 of my recent bag patterns, also free on the blog. They reflect my love of simple shapes, practical functionality and ease of making something you can be proud of.

Use M/N hook from this point forwards. (Using a smaller hook to help find the sts may help if your sts are too tight.)

Row 28: Ch 1. Work 22 sl sts, inc, 19 wsc, inc, 22 sl sts. Turn.

Row 29: Ch 1. Work 22 sc in back loop of sl st, 23 sc in back 2 loops of each st, 22 sc in back loop of sl st. Turn.

The first pic below shows where to work into the back loop of the 22 slip stitches. Then when you hit the 23 single crochet stitches, you’ll want to work into under the 2 legs of the upside-down V instead of through the V to the other side.

Row 30: Ch 1. Work 1 wsc in each st across. Turn.

Row 31: Ch 1. Work 21 wsc, dec, 21 wsc, dec, 21 sc. Turn.

Rows 32-33: Ch 1. Work 1 wsc in each st across. Turn.

At the end of Row 33, fasten off, leaving a tail for seaming.

ASSEMBLY

With the ridged slip stitches facing out, seam the two pieces together along the bottom using the mattress stitch.

On the sides of the purse, bring the slip stitch ridges together. The sides of the purse will be folded into the bag.

Using a length of yarn, insert needle into the horizontal bar below each slip stitch and join the two sides of the purse together, with the slip stitches lined up next to each other. Do this down both sides of the purse approximately 6 inches.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Unlike other bags where you have to add the handle to it when the body is finished, for the Riviera Tote, you’re done once you seam everything together, since it was worked with the handle built in!

Check out my pattern shops on Craftsy, Ravelry and Etsy where you can purchase printable PDFs of my latest crochet patterns. These PDFs are formatted without comments or ads, and have instructional photos at the bottom for optional printing.

I sometimes include affiliate links in my supply lists.Purchasing from these merchants earns me a small commission with no extra cost to you, and goes towards supporting One Dog Woof.

Please be respectful and do not sell or distribute this pattern in any way, especially as your own. Instead, share the original blog post link! You can sell finished products made from this pattern by giving credit to One Dog Woof as the pattern designer and linking to the blog post. If you have any questions regarding distribution or translation of this pattern, please see my Terms of Use. Thank you for your consideration!

Comments

Is there no need to line the Riviera Tote? Is it stitched tightly enough to prevent small items from coming through the fabric and then falling out? My greatest concern with crocheted bags is that items will work their way through and fall out. And like you, I really love bags of all kinds!